Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait by Jem Cohen

A short film directed by Jem Cohen featuring Elliott Smith performing Baby Britain, Between The Bars, Thirteen (Big Star) and Angeles.
"A cross between a video and a documentary, but actually being neither of the two." - Elliott Smith
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[@lillieeve6969]

It always sounds to me like there’s more than one guitar when he plays. He plays rhythm and a melody at once. It’s deceptively hard. He’s underrated in his guitar-playing surely

[@jeremywade6986]

That's the beauty of fingerstyle guitar.

[@NorthWriter]

AND he played all of the instruments on his albums. He's like the Prince Rogers Nelson of indie rock.

[@antonios.1597]

He underrated himself in too many ways, I'm afraid...

[@janej1696]

Partly that bluegrass style, partly his multi track layered recording style, his vocal delivery is so thin and wispy alone doing that made the sound more FULL.... I imagine him in from a 8 track just letting it out a section at time... Anyway...

[@janej1696]

@@jeremywade6986 That's the beauty of multi-track recording 😊

[@luckyhat2446]

I keep searching the ends of the internet for more elliott. first it was discovering heatmiser, then Heaven Adores you, then it was listening to every unreleased finger picking, scouring youtube for interviews and live performances, then I found strange parallel, and now this. With each new discovery I feel like I get a more holistic picture of Elliott. And every time I learn more about him I realize more about how he is remembered in a way that does not due him justice. He was a wicked guitarist, musical and lyrical genius, down-to-earth, funny, spontaneous guy. I feel like people boil him down to some sad melodies, poor mental health, and drug use. He would've hated that legacy.

[@shaunchristman5504]

I agree, that's the very bottom barrel of him, there's so much more above that.....if they want to talk about the mental health part, set up an organization in his name to teach kids to play.....he was such a perfect guy in my eyes

[@merilynne1548]

He said himself in an interview that he did not like being called the sad guitar guy, since his music had as good in it as it did bad. As he put it, "depression isn't a word I would use to describe my music/ But there is some sadness in it - there has to be, so that the happiness in it will matter." Well said, in my opinion.

[@louieo.blevinsmusic2011]

Have you watched his episode of SNL? If not you’ll have to get peacock

[@cervenypes123]

Imagine being old, and searching irl. Bars three

[@summyd7351]

this is making me cry

[@ElstonsGun]

elliott is out there somewhere, with a different name, and a different set of eyes, but with the same sweet heart and soul.

[@SethMacLaren]

I'd like to think he ended up at least a little in all of us, no light is meant to shine that bright on its own

[@jameskrautheim4987]

Bless you dude 😏

[@bossHogOG]

No, I’m pretty sure he committed suicide years ago.

[@kiwi-m2t]

Elstons Gun that made me tear up

[@yearnpill]

Boss Hog Wow dude aren’t you a load of fun 🙄

[@droppe9346]

Almost forgot to watch this as my part of my daily routine

[@ASliceofStrife]

Imagine living your whole life without seeing this once? Makes me shutter.

[@LeahDyson-kq4bd]

​@@ASliceofStrife lol

[@dwigt123]

I wanna hug him so bad

[@chiemmanuelle1211]

I can't help crying and smiling everytime I watch this fantastic film.❤😢 I still miss Elliott so much. He was beautiful, talented, bright, gentle, sensitive, musical genius! He had everything I supposed. Luckily I went to his gigs and I met him. One of the most happy and precious memories in my life! Elliott lives in his music and beautiful memories forever. 🥹‪

[@missmisery8612]

I love how he says "take 1" for angeles. Like, he literally did that all in one try. Such a brilliant and beautiful human being.

[@danielledecarlo5660]

Delilah Smith I thought the same thing.

[@knuckle12356]

7:52 😘

[@KhalDrogo76]

Completely singular in everything he did, there literally is no one that sounds like him...plays like him...writes like him. He is missed, his music means a great deal to me.

[@dithirambos]

I totally agree!

[@jeremywade6986]

Often imitated but never duplicated!

[@avnishdhaulta9271]

Phoebe bridgera is close one tho

[@evanphillips570]

@@avnishdhaulta9271 he’s her favourite artist so there is an influence there but I don’t think her songs sound much like Elliott

[@TwinAdrienne]

The only one who came close with the ephemeral magic although in different musical style was Justin Townes Earle, also gone WAY too soon! RIP Elliott and JTE

[@clementbatut4053]

between the bars is one of the best songs ever written and Elliott was probably the only guy who could make a big star cover sound better than the original

[@traviscarver4708]

Clement Batut Jeff Buckley covered “Kangaroo” by Big Star and it is better than the original. If you’ve read “Big Nothing” then you will recall the awesome picture of Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith standing next to one another at a show. Imagine walking through the crowd and coming upon the both of them standing side by side.

[@DrawtheCurtains]

definitely not better. equally great. alex chilton and elliott were both angels among us.

[@peterswenson18]

The world lost you 21 years ago today, Elliott. You continue to inspire and encourage me everyday, both in my music and everyday life. I am certainly not the only person who misses you dearly. Thank you for everything

[@yashaswinijoshi5845]

Oh my, Elliott is one of the most beautiful beings to have graced this planet. There's just something so different about him: a vulnerability that's almost rebellious in our manufactured culture. It makes me so sad to think that I'll never be able to listen to him play live. It would've been such an honour.

[@janej1696]

I still live here in PDX, I was really young then, but I have friends who hung out with him.. . obviously that means I ran into struggles with addiction and roamed the same streets in this video, most still look the same..... Now that I'm clean myself now... I feel a kinship to him after walking his path with a lot less talent...

[@yeahwhateverwhocares]

"A vulnerability that's almost rebellious in our manufactured culture." Beautiful words. I often come back to his songs whenever I feel down. They make me feel real.

[@yashaswinijoshi5845]

@@janej1696 Thank you for sharing that. I hope you're doing better now

[@yashaswinijoshi5845]

@@yeahwhateverwhocares thank you. I think his songs provide solace to a lot of people. It's nice to know that you're not the only one struggling and that someone out there has experienced the same things as you, perhaps in another time.

[@yashaswinijoshi5845]

@@yeahwhateverwhocares "They make me feel real." I agree 100%!

[@maryhyland]

to paraphrase a line from the Big Chill: "there was something about Elliott that was too good for this world..."

[@hailsnail7652]

ive yet to see this. your comment has only made me more interested now

[@ciaraskeleton]

This piece of media changed my life. This is a constant source of creative inspiration, comfort and hope for me. The beauty in ordinary, the close ups of deceased names next to shots of beautiful blooming roses, cityscapes and grey skies, but with a focus on how stunning it all is. I know Elliot had a philosophy degree, and was a philosophical and existential kind of person. So this is my favourite film surrounding him. I think it paints him in the most true light.

[@johnm.5913]

Isn't it great? It's a perfect example for a textbook based around the usage of mixed media to promote and display an artist

[@ciaraskeleton]

@@johnm.5913 that's exactly what it is! There are some old visuals for John Frusciante's To record only water for 10 days shot by Vincent Gallo (i know, a divisive character) and they have a very similar style. More abstract and conceptual, but the same style. I've tried to make short films similar, I adore the style. The raw grainy 90s look is what makes it for me, and there's no way of replicating that authentically anymore! Though I'll keep trying in ways lol

[@johnm.5913]

@@ciaraskeleton Nice example. Btw, major Frusciante head personally. That stuff with him recorded in his house while he was spiraling downward was great too, Timothy Leary is on his couch in a shot. I think depp recorded that one.

[@johnm.5913]

@@ciaraskeleton that one is called "stuff"

[@ciaraskeleton]

@@johnm.5913 I know 'stuff' well! It's awesome too, but is hard to watch. Yes Depp and Gibby Haynes recorded stuff just after the passing of River Phoenix (another rabbit hole). It features songs from Niandra laDes, one of my fav albums. I freaking love the music he recorded during the darker times as much as his sound when he came out of that. I'm talking about his work with Vincent Gallo for his Album: To Record Only Water For Ten Days. They shot a few music videos for the album, very very abstract and sort of visual representations of the sound John was emitting at that time, definitely go look those MVs up, there should be a playlist on KZbin! If you haven't seen those already then I guarantee you'll love them! Very similar idea to this one of E.S, but far more abstract! Fucking awesome that you love Frusciante, it's hard to find other froosh heads out there, but we all have amazing taste in art ☺️

[@ChristopherGun]

8:21 his eyes man ... seeing this makes me cry everytime

[@cutecat3662]

0:01 Baby Britain Acoustic Intro 1:25 Between The Bars 4:02 Big Star - Thirteen (Cover) 7:42 Angeles

[@benmeltzer]

It doesn't sound at all like "Baby Britain" to me.

[@cutecat3662]

@@benmeltzer you're a big nothing without listening baby Britain acoustic version

[@AryYudanto]

@@benmeltzerthere is acoustic version of baby britain kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZLMi2ODfdimaM0si=bU8bgXj9gBpMqv7S

[@levelanchorage]

Before spotify/youtube, before Good Will Hunting, there was Heatmiser and a couple solo albums and somehow at 14, I was one of his biggest fans. I cry once or twice a year thinking about loneliness and how much he touched me.

[@smthsmthsmths]

😟

[@jaunmartinez4893]

I saw heatmiser/crackerbash and hazel perform at La Luna in Portland, I think i was 15 or 16 at the time, I was hooked and never looked back musically

[@ejh2066]

i keep coming back to this. he was so gentle

[@tasm9234]

Angeles is just one of those songs that is in its own lane entirely, even for elliott songs...it gives me such a specific feeling in my stomach right from that absolutely haunting introductory line. The immaculate guitar work, the feeling of dread, as if someone is telling you get out of a dirty business, that it's just not worth it. Either/Or is just a masterpiece.

[@LorenzPTews]

today, 20 years ago, he left. how sad. he is remembered.

[@TheDreamingJune]

God, Elliott's voice was so beautifully tender and vulnerable. It complements the intimacy of his songwriting. I really love it.

[@muuuzaklistener]

having one of the worst nights of my life. i dont know what to do. what i do know though is that whenever i feel like shit, its always a smart idea to watch this video in order to bring some comfort into my life. i’ll always love you elliott and i hope i will one day be able to meet you, wherever you are.

[@Pskiop]

i hope you got better

[@juusoloukkola8185]

[@muuuzaklistener]

@@Pskiop life got better, thank u luv u

[@muuuzaklistener]

@@juusoloukkola8185 absolutely. luv u

[@punpuniia]

sending big hugs friend i understand, elliott is such a huge comfort for those rough nights.

[@annab2691]

He was such a beautiful human being. Seemed way too beautiful to be human.

[@gwealmonykuany4734]

So beautiful in all his modesty. I love seeing Elliott play.

[@JustinTrousers.]

imagine an elliot smith tiny desk concert :(

[@alexmorris3584]

oh my god bro :( that would be sick :(

[@peetvader478]

The Jon brion show..check it out

[@henrydoesart158]

Not very fitting for him tbh

[@JustinTrousers.]

@@henrydoesart158 how lmao

[@henrydoesart158]

DingusRocky tiny desk is gentrifier-core, tacky, and over-stated.

[@bodaddly]

This film is a little treasure.

[@isaacoropeza3331]

genuinely amazing how good he sounded live. everything in this video was perfect and somehow it felt richer than the studio versions. absolutely beautiful

[@elliottsmith93]

This film is a treasure. Thank you Jem. RIP Elliott.

[@RustinChole]

Saw him in an old firehouse with maybe 20 other blown away people that year (1996). Everyone was just in awe. After good will hunting that dynamic changed so drastically. But this footage is basically what it was like to sit a foot away from the guy and listen.

[@debeso77]

i remember ex-church shows, bowling alley shows, laundry mat shows... where the hell were the firehouse shows (and why wasn't i invited ;) ?!! lol

[@debeso77]

(for other bands... never had the privilege to see ES:()

[@Sjobeck7]

Still missing him every bit as much as on that awful day 15 years ago already … Exactly. :( Most of this was filmed right down the street from me in Ladds Addition, Portland Oregon. He lived right off of Division on 16th st. ( a purple house now ) Charlotte Armstrong roses plackard I have it. Thank goodness his amazing music will live on forever.

[@paulaboncompagniludovisi9900]

no words to describe his kindness.

[@lakeforest5362]

This video first got me into Elliott around 15 years ago. Probably still my favourite and most influential music video of all time. Well done Jem Cohen

[@ozymandiascakehole3586]

His 13 makes me sob like a baby. Thanks for putting this on KZbin.

[@moyahsutherland6430]

Elliott you will be forever missed. Your music and art lives on.

[@evann6626]

i miss you so much mr smith

[@marylewis3745]

At the Old Firehouse there was a handbill for his gig there in about '95. "Monster Guitarist", it said. He could play anything, and he did. I often wonder what the whirring sound is that leads into "Angeles". And have always imagined it to be one of those glass bottles on a long string that an indigenous folk-- the Maori, maybe-- whirl around their heads. So steeped in Angeles as the first tune I heard of his, that my mind plays it with the whir in, no matter which version is playing. He made the world a richer experience, and because of his gift, will never experience the third death.

[@disappearingink23]

I love when he takes a breath in between each phrase on between the bars. Such a cool sound.

[@naughtiusmaximus1231]

Where did they find anyone who didn't love this? ES was a master.

[@janej1696]

After living same lifestyle, in Portland, same circles, even some pics of me back then with greasy hair and not taking care of self..... Just without the musical talent.... But I still listen to him and see how close we both came to same conclusion....I have light a candle for my fallen brother in arms...

[@ThePacemaker45]

Angeles is such a beautiful song.

[@toddfagan7703]

Used to see himvaround salem or for years .never heard of him till later found his cds at good will was blown away .love his music just goes to show someone who passes you on the sidewalk has something to share .

[@angumotzfeldt3093]

Sometimes I find myself snickering while listening to his songs - mixed with tears and relief over that someone finally put all the misery, lost love but also the faint glimmers of hope into words and music. What an absolutely brilliant songwriter he was.

[@harpomarxist4185]

I dont think I've ever heard him play a less-than-perfect version of Angeles

[@corg_9939]

if you ever want to hear one I'm happy to show you :)

[@brendaluna173]

Sweet Elliott I will love you for the rest of my life You were so special You made us hear what love sounds like, you showed the beauty there's in pain in such a soft way Is like a secret code only the ones who truly felt it can hear it. May your beautiful soul be at peace feeling everything you never got to feel here.

[@csspenab]

Elliott ---He knows how to pull the heart strings.

[@Treesandink]

best version of angeles is right here, not to put down the either/or version or anything of the sort but i just like this version's authenticity

[@areagaeagebea]

yea same

[@caleb9352]

this is the either/or version just without the synth thingy

[@wwxlzh3882]

One of the most talented musicals ever to exist

[@bigchickentime7391]

All of these performances are so good they almost sound like the album versions, R.I.P

[@oliverkalamata2753]

This was recorded the day I turned 10. I sure do miss you, Elliott and those innocent days way back. 😢

[@folkchild7595]

absolutely adore him

[@jamesonbutler4046]

This video is probably one of the most beautiful things ive ever witnessed especially his little smile at the very end and god the comments on these videos of him are so endearing yet sad. Rest easy elliott

[@francisfornobody]

people you’ve been before that you don’t want around anymore

[@Nyco_lee]

i always feel that i know him a long time... idk how to explain this feeling... i just feel it. and i feel it when i play my guitar and feel that the only who can understand my melodies is him.. he's my inspiration as a brazilian musician and i love "Antonio Carlos Jobim" by heatmiser (Elliott's band)

[@trevordavis8210]

Exactly the same feeling with me too. It’s because we share the same pain and hope. We understand his music and it understands us. The only artist I’ve come across that has made me feel this way. It’s definitely something special. Hope you’re doing well.

[@missmisery8612]

I've watched this more times than I can count, but on this rewatch I finally got that he was trying to mimic the poster behind him at 7:08 😂

[@ThePacemaker45]

Favorite version of Angeles. My favorite song ever by my favorite artist ever. Miss you Elliott ❤️.

[@frafrafrafrafra]

I would like to give him a hug as strong as I can just to thank him for how much his music has helped me

[@jessicabryce3723]

he's really just an all-rounder. intriguing guitarist, incredible songwriter, a beautifully haunting voice. such a wonderful person. I'll always miss him, don't know if anyone else has such a beautiful soul

[@HelloVanna]

Constantly coming back to this. Thank you. Lucky Three always feels like a needed hug. ❤

[@donovan4608]

Elliot if u were still alive....I just wanna say u really have touched me more than anything and that Thirteen is one of my favorite songs u wrote u really know how to make a person feel alive after i watch this video....i dont know but i just wanna thank u for the amazing hero person u are to all

[@husband1]

Donovan don’t think he wrote that one I’m afraid.

[@debeso77]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Star@@husband1

[@thomascraymer8712]

He didn't write Thirteen, that was Alex Chilton of Big Star That said, Elliott did several Big Star covers, I discovered them through him :D

[@VladimirMotchoulski]

In a world of torture and cruelty, this archived beacon of hope lives on forever. It does not mean that he is dead just because his body is gone. Elliott Smith is immortal.

[@debeso77]

indeed

[@ritzzzzzz]

we miss you, Elliott. so much...

[@jameswindels-lyte1032]

Really beautiful, just really really really beautiful.

[@KenL414]

I listen to him now as much as I did when I first discovered him for myself. He was such a beautiful artist. RIP.

[@ranger18771]

I love this, gets me every time, great artist and person. Raw and awesome

[@scottdavis0801]

Me and my buddy Kenric shot pool with Elliot one night at Beulahland in Portland Oregon. He was about the nicest guy you could meet!!!

[@blutkrieg4450]

probably nicest sounding acoustic i have heard

[@philspill6854]

Cheap Yamaha guitars are amazing sounding. Especially in his hands

[@onurbo77]

Also, the sound recording is credited to Elliot. Guy really knew how to sound at his best.

[@xaqary]

God I miss that Portland. It's unrecognizable now save a few secret nooks and crannies.

[@schwarzblatt]

This film captures the Portland of the 90s pretty well. Most of it's gone now as you mentioned, but watching this sent all those memories flooding back for me.

[@bklynbroker]

its the same with Austin. I lived there in the 90's and its almost unrecognizable now. kind of sad

[@matthewjames206]

Seattle, too.

[@xaqary]

Pretty sure most US urban areas as we knew them aren't gonna come back anytime soon - feels more likely it'll happen 1st in some new familiar form in the suburbs somewhere

[@slds08]

I ask myself if this man was real, really, his sadness, kindness, his intense emotion in delicated voice and wonderful songs, a diamond in this planet, thanks for the post ❤❤❤

[@debeso77]

he was real. touched the 90s... touches today.

[@thomascraymer8712]

My personal opinion, he was a modern day Mozart

[@sunnieworms]

i wish he knew how much he was missed... we werent even alive at the same time (i was born late 2003) but im so grateful theres so much of his wonderful work around on the internet that i dont think ill ever find all of it. thank you for posting this there will never be another artist like him

[@luciddreams2524]

Thank you Elliott and Jem for producing this footage. My favorite part is the little ending clip that is reversed, where Elliott tosses the wooden stick into the puddle of water. Something about it seems so pure, appreciate the little things.

[@will6176]

Seen this plenty o times over the years... but just sat down for a nice watch. Captivated, moved... elliotts look at the end, after he'd sung, i felt was the end, i saw him, then he smiled :) and i smiled back.... so great...

[@matthewjames206]

Gone but never forgotten.

[@aware_pedi]

Such an incredibly beautiful piece of film, music and Elliot

[@shawn-guitar]

He breaks my heart.

[@williamcole60]

watching this in 2022 was a baby when this was filmed so happy to find it Elliott is the best ever

[@casonlesueur8068]

thank you elliot i love you

[@Hilaire_Balrog]

25 years and I still have this on vhs in my closet 😊 . I lived in LA/Hollywood at the time and Angeles had always been my favorite song of his. I even know many of the building in that part of the film. Went to that KFC @9:02 several times.

[@reeselawhon2663]

So cool seeing some old Portland spots throughout this video. The Lovejoy Columns are long gone but Sheridan Fruit is still there and my art studio building is visible across the street in the shots of Elliott at Sheridan’s

[@Harry_Seaward]

Happy Birthday Elliott.

[@justimrivera8994]

This film is just so fucking haunting. I may have a bias here though... but holy shit is this ever fucking beautiful and at the same time chilling. Seriously, I don't know if it's me but yeah. Fucking awesome. That Baby Britain Intro though.

[@Rgdonaire_07]

It’s a fucking great film for fucks sake! Fucking unbelievable!

[@bobjames7104]

Just became familiar with Elliottt Smith's music from an interview with Julian Lange & checked it out. He was a "Shooting Star" and there are many throughout history., They leave their mark andl then their milestone m

[@troygaspard6732]

The Big Star cover is perfect. It is song so sympathetic to Elliot's own music..

[@whatisthisice]

literally the greatest video ever made

[@Lauren-kd5fx]

i just sit and cry to this a lot. such a calming and healing video tbh, yet so sad.

[@JaneDoe-zc2zn]

Elliott Smith needs to enter the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.

[@debeso77]

yes.

[@narfcakes]

this is gorgeous, thank you for sharing freely

[@videoart936]

i love his music !!!

[@digitalbath2766]

love you elliott, your beautiful energy will live on forever through your music

[@francisfornobody]

this makes me cry.i feel like he understands me truly.

[@sagarbhaskar8688]

He still lives in this song

[@shivx1]

I used to watch this video constantly. That was 20 years ago almost. Elliott had only died a year or 2 before that. The people you have touched poor elliott RIP

[@yangzihaowang3205]

I wish the video could capture more of his finger style. But any way, truly precious video!

[@Rgdonaire_07]

I’m so glad this performance is available on KZbin. For me it’s his best: intimate, real acoustic sound, no double tracking, completely raw and beautiful. The live shows with the direct acoustic don’t sound that good imho

[@bigsadham2392]

i had been looking for a cop of Lucky Three since I was 12, thank you so much

[@toddoliver168]

Wow he's tuned down a whole tone to D, sounds great!

[@WoweeZoweee]

Fruit stand in SE still there. Miss you Elliott

[@fusatoe]

Timeless.

[@irregularmana6216]

I keep coming back once a year... don't know why lol ..should go to bed. Rip ES.

[@dersolipsist3079]

Listening to this in 2024 is what listening to something from 1968 would've been like in 1996.

[@EYEBALLband]

Super cool.

[@donaxme2880]

😍 so glad this was made